THE CAMP OF THE MOLUCHOS
When Tahi-Mari reached the council lodge, the great Molucho chiefs
were already assembled. A compact crowd of Indian warriors silently
surrounded the approaches of the lodge, and pressed forward to hear the
resolutions which were going to be formed by the Ulmens.
On perceiving the formidable toqui of the Moluchos, the warriors
respectfully fell back to let him pass, and Tahi-Mari entered the hut.
His face was haughty and frowning, and everything about him indicated
pride and resolution. He sat down on the trunk of a tree reserved for
him, and which enabled him to survey the assembly. After looking round
him for a moment, he began to speak--
"For what purpose have my brothers, the Ulmens of the twelve nations,
assembled?" he asked.
"The pale-faces," Huachacuyac replied, "have sent two great chiefs to
discuss peace with us."
"The Spaniards," Tahi-Mari continued, "have two tongues and two faces.
My brothers must be on their guard, for they wish to deceive them by
false promises, while they are preparing the means to destroy them."
"Matai," said the Ulmens, "our brother is learned: he is a great
warrior; he will judge."
"What is the opinion of my brothers? We cannot refuse to receive the
messengers of peace," Huachacuyac remarked.
"My brothers speak wisely: let the Spanish chiefs be brought in, and we
will hear them."
A movement took place among the Indians; Shounon-Kouiretzi went in
for a moment, and returned almost immediately, conducting General Don
Pedro Sallazar and Colonel Don Juan de Soto-Mayor. They were unarmed,
but their bold bearing and haughty brow showed that they did not
experience the slightest fear at finding themselves at the mercy of
their barbarous enemies.
A dozen lanceros, unarmed like them, halted at the lodge-door.
Shounon-Kouiretzi motioned the two officers to sit down on trunks of
trees not so high as the one employed by the chief, then after lighting
a calumet, he handed it to Tahi-Mari, who smoked it for an instant and
restored it to him. The latter then presented it to Don Pedro Sallazar,
who passed it to Don Juan. The calumet soon went the round of the
assembly and returned to Tahi-Mari, who finished it. After this the
toqui threw the ashes towards the strangers, saying, in a loud voice--
"These chiefs and the soldiers who accompany them are the guests of the
Ulmens of the twelve Molucho nations: the warriors will respect them
till sunset."
This ceremony performed, there was a profound silence.
"What do the Spanish warriors desire?" Tahi-Mari at length said; "the
white chiefs can speak, for the ears of my brothers the Ulmens are
open."
Don Pedro Sallazar rose and said in Indian, a language which he spoke
with considerable facility--
"Grand Ulmens of the twelve nations, you, oh formidable toqui, and all
you red warriors who are listening to me, your great white father sends
me to you; his heart bleeds at seeing the numberless misfortunes which
war has caused; his ears are filled with the complaints of mothers
reduced to despair and of children who are weeping for their fathers
killed in action. The country is devastated, the towns are only piles
of ashes, and the rivers and streams whose waters were so limpid are
now corrupted and fetid with the number of corpses they bear along.
His mind being saddened by these terrible calamities, and wishing at
length to restore tranquillity and abundance to this unhappy land, your
great white father asks of you through my voice that the axe should be
buried between us, peace be re-established among us, and the redskins
and palefaces henceforth form one united nation. Let my red brothers
reflect: I have spoken."
Don Pedro Sallazar sat down again, and Tahi-Mari immediately replied--
"The Ulmens of the twelve great nations have never desired war; they
have avoided it as long as they could, and now endure it. It is not the
Molucho nation that dug up the hatchet. It is now three hundred years
since the Spaniards landed in our country. Our tribes had no liberty
upon the seashore, but the palefaces pursued them as if they had been
like wild beasts, and compelled them to take refuge in the deserts of
the Andes. Why, after tearing from the poor Indians the fertile and
sunlit lands which they possessed, are they now trying to rob them of
the uncultivated plains and reduce them to slavery? Why do they wish to
destroy their religion, and their laws, and drive them into the eternal
snows? Are not the Indians and Spaniards sons of the same Father? Do
not the priests of the palefaces themselves say so? Let my brother the
Spanish chief answer."
"Yes," said Don Pedro, rising, "the great chief of the Moluchos is
right; but why renew old quarrels and revive ancient animosities?
Is not the country vast enough to support us all? Why should we not
live in peace together, each following our laws and professing our
religion? We are ready to grant our Indian brothers all they ask that
is just and equitable. I have come here to listen to the propositions
of the Ulmens, and the great Spanish chief will ratify them if they are
reasonable."
"It is too late," Tahi-Mari replied, rising in his turn; "the Moluchos
are resolved to regain their liberty, which was unjustly torn from
them; they are tired of living like wretched vagabonds on the
snow-covered mountains; now that they have descended into the plains
warmed by the sunshine they do not wish to leave them."
"The Ulmens will reflect," Don Pedro resumed. "They must not let
themselves be led astray by a slight success; the Spaniards are
powerful, and victory has ever been on their side up to this day."
"And then, too," said Don Juan, rising in his turn, "what do you
hope to obtain? Do you fancy yourselves sufficiently strong, even if
you succeed in capturing Santiago, to contend against the immense
forces which will come to crush you from the other side of the Great
Salt Lake? No; the war you are waging is a senseless war, without
any possible object or result. Commenced under the persuasion of an
ambitious chief, who employs you to carry out schemes of which you are
ignorant, you are only instruments in his hands. Believe my words and
those of General Sallazar; accept the frank and loyal peace which
we propose to you. This man, whom you have appointed your toqui, is
abusing you and deceiving you, and driving you towards an abyss into
which you will fall if you do not listen to the voice of reason, which
addresses you through our lips."
A lengthened tumult and menacing effervescence followed these remarks
of the young man. The chiefs anxiously questioned each other in a low
voice. Don Juan's bold language had produced a certain impression on
them, and some of them recognised its correctness. Tahi-Mari alone
remained impassive; not a muscle of his face had moved, and the trace
of any emotion might be sought in vain upon his countenance. When the
effect produced by Don Juan's speech was slightly calmed, he rose, and
giving his foe an ironical glance, he said--
"The young Spanish chief has spoken well, and if he does not count
many years he has a great deal of wisdom. Peace is good when loyally
offered."
"And we do offer it loyally," Don Juan remarked eagerly.
"Ah! my brother must pardon me," Tahi-Mari said, with a sarcastic smile.
"That demon is meditating some roguery," Don Pedro said, in a low
voice, to his companion; "we must be on our guard."
"My brothers the Ulmens," Diego continued, "have heard the words
pronounced by the two Spanish chiefs, and if they were really the
expression of their thoughts I would join my voice to theirs in urging
you to accept the peace they offer; but unfortunately here is a proof
of the bad faith which regulates their conduct."
Tahi-Mari drew from under his poncho a paper, which he slowly unfolded,
while a quiver of curiosity ran along the ranks of the Indians, and the
two Spanish officers exchanged glances in which anxiety was visible.
"This despatch, my brothers, was found this very day upon a Spanish
soldier, who was the bearer of it. My brothers, the Ulmens, will listen
to me as I read it; and then see the amount of confidence which they
ought to place in the sincerity of our enemies."
"We are listening;" the Ulmens said.
"This is it," Diego remarked, and read:
"'My dear General,--The Indians are pressing us closely, and have
placed us in a most precarious position; still I hope to gain a few
days by making them proposals of peace, which will have no result, as
you can easily imagine; but will give the reinforcements you announce
to me time to come up. Do not delay, for I am anxious to deal a
decisive blow, and drive the rebels for ever from these parts.'"
"This letter, signed by the President of the Republic, is addressed
to the general commanding the province of Coquimbo. My brother can
consult: I have spoken," and Tahi-Mari resumed his seat.
A movement of fury seized the Ulmens, who rushed on the Spanish
officers with the intention of tearing them to pieces.
"Back, all of you," Tahi-Mari shouted in a thundering voice, "these men
are inviolable!"
The Indian stopped as if by enchantment.
"The word of an Ulmen is sacred," the half-breed continued. "Let these
chiefs return to the lodges of their white brothers; my brothers will
show these perfidious Spaniards that the great chiefs of the twelve
Molucho nations are as merciful as they are powerful."
Don Pedro and Don Juan, after escaping the peril that menaced them,
prepared to depart.
"A moment," said Tahi-Mari; "you will not leave the camp alone; follow
me."
And leaving the council lodge, he pointed towards his wigwam, in front
of the two officers and their escort of lanceros, who had awaited them
at the door.
On reaching the door of his abode, Diego went in, but came out again
almost immediately, holding by the hand a veiled female.
"There," he said, addressing Don Juan, "take away this girl, who
wearies me, and whose verses no longer possess any charms for me;
perhaps she will succeed in pleasing some of the soldiers, for she is
Spanish."
Then with a rapid movement he tore off the veil that concealed the
prisoner's features, and pushed her towards the officers.
"Inez!" the latter exclaimed, in horror.
It was indeed Inez; though not to be recognized by others but them,
as her face had assumed so strange an expression, and her eyes were
wandering. She turned her head in all directions, looking stupidly
around her, and then suddenly folding her arms on her chest, she sang
with an accent of ineffable sadness the following lines from an old
dance song:--
"From the corner,
From the corner of the Carmen
To the rock,
To the golden rock,
I have seen a,
I have seen a girl descend,
Singing,
Singing the Sambacueca."
"Oh!" Don Juan murmured in despair; "great Heaven, she is mad."
"And I have not even a sword," Don Pedro exclaimed, wringing his hands
furiously.
"Ah, Don Juan de Soto-Mayor, you did not expect I fancy, to find your
sister in Tahi-Mari's lodge? Take her back, while awaiting the end
of my vengeance; for, as I told you, I do not wish to have anything
more to do with her; and you, Señor Don Pedro, are you not her assumed
husband?"
"Wretch! why did I not listen to the feeling of aversion, with which
you inspired me, when I saw you at the house of General Soto-Mayor? I
ought to have killed you before you made me fall into the trap which
you and your gang laid for us in offering to escort us."
"Coward!" Don Juan said in his turn, his eyes full of tears; "kill the
brother after dishonouring the sister, for I hate you and defy you."
And, raising his hand, he sprang forward to strike Diego on the face;
but the latter at once guessing the young man's intention, seized his
arm and held him as in a vice.
"I need but to give a signal, and your head and that of your companion
roll at your feet; but I will not give it."
And with a sudden push he threw Don Juan far from him.
"Begone," he said coldly, "for no one will touch your person, which is
sacred to all in this camp, our two families no longer reckon insults
and wrongs, Don Juan, and this one will be requited with the rest."
During this time poor Inez, apparently not noticing what was going on,
was crouching in a corner, and with her head in her hands and her
long hair covering her face, was humming in a low voice a hymn to the
Virgin. Without making any reply to Diego the young men walked up to
Inez and made her rise. She offered no resistance, but continued to
sing--
"'The birds in the sky,
The fishes of the sea,
The wild beasts of the forests,
Celebrate her glory.'"
"What is the matter, Señor Caballero?" she suddenly asked, as she broke
off her chant and looked at her brother, "you appear sad. Would you
like me to sing you a pretty sequidilla?"
"'Señorita, señorita,
Raise your little foot.'"
"Oh," said Don Juan, "what madness! Inez, my sister, recognise me. I am
Juanito, your brother, whom you love so dearly."
A flash of intelligence passed into the maiden's eyes, and a smile
played round her lips.
"Juanito!" she said. "Yes, yes," she exclaimed clapping her hands,
"listen--"
"'Juanito is a brave,
A brave whom I love,
A handsome fellow dressed,
All in cloth--"
A hoarse burst of laughter interrupted the song.
"Why try to arouse her memory?" Tahi-Mari said, with a shrug of the
shoulders.
"Oh!" Don Juan exclaimed, turning to him, "all your blood will not
suffice to avenge us."
"As you please, caballero: but in the meanwhile be off, or I cannot
answer for your safety."
"Not yet," said a thundering voice, which vibrated through the air.
A great disturbance broke out in camp, and a man covered with
perspiration and dust proceeded towards Tahi-Mari's hut. It was Captain
Leon Delbès, on seeing whom Diego turned pale, but remained motionless.
Leon advanced toward him thrusting aside every obstacle that barred his
progress.
"What have you done with General Soto-Mayor's daughter?" he asked,
fixing his eyes on the half-breed's.
The smuggler's entrance had been so unexpected, his action so
extraordinarily rash, that all the Indians who witnessed the scene
stood as if petrified with admiration and amazement. On hearing Leon's
question Diego looked down, but made no reply.
"What have you done with her, I ask you?" the captain repeated with a
passionate stamp of his foot.
At this moment the young lady, to whom nobody paid attention, leant on
his shoulder, and with a charming smile began singing again in a sweet
and melancholy voice--
"Seated at the corner of a street,
They tell me that my chuca sells,
They tell me that she sells flowers."
"Oh!" Leon exclaimed, "I understand it all now. Unhappy child! unhappy
father!"
And quick as thought, he drew a pistol from his girdle, and placed the
muzzle against the half-breed's chest. The latter, calm and haughty,
raised his eyes and looked at Leon, without making the slightest motion
to escape death. The young man trembled, and let his weapon sink again.
"And yet I cannot kill him!" he said, the first feeling of surprise
over. The Indians rushed furiously on him to make him pay dearly for
this insensate attempt.
"Stay," Diego said, "this man is an adopted son of the Moluchos, and I
forbid you touching him."
The Indians fell back.
"Is this the way in which you avenge yourself?" Leon exclaimed. "What!
instead of attacking your enemy face to face, you cowardly carry off a
child to make her your victim! Oh! I curse the day when my hand clasped
yours for the first time: I believed you to be a man of heart, and you
are a ferocious brute. I no longer hate you, I despise you."
"Leon, your heart is no longer your own; it belongs to a Spanish girl,
and a cloud covers your mind; one day you will render me justice."
"Never!" Leon replied, "never! I curse you, and I swear by the ashes
of my mother, that if you let me leave this place, my vengeance shall
pursue you; you will ever find me on your road ready to fight you and
overthrow your plans."
"Your will be done, brother: my hand will never be laid upon you to ask
an account of your outrages. But woe to the Spaniards who have broken
our friendship!"
"Speak no more of friendship, since you have crushed my life and
destroyed my happiness for ever."
"Are you saying the truth?" Diego asked, feeling doubt glide into his
mind.
But already the captain, followed by Don Pedro, Don Juan, and Inez
was crossing the camp, through a triple row of Molucho warriors, who
watched without daring to attack them, though their desire so to do was
great. They soon reached the spot where their horses were waiting, and
half an hour later were all four at the house of Senator Don Henriquez
de Castago. While all proper care was being given to the unhappy Inez,
Leon Delbès told the two officers--in what state he had left General
Soto-Mayor, and of; his speedy arrival at Santiago accompanied by
Maria. When he had finished this painful narrative, Don Pedro and Don
Juan, struck by the same misfortunes, displayed toward Leon the most
lively feelings of esteem and friendship, while complimenting him on
the attachment which he had not ceased to display toward the Soto-Mayor
family.
"Sir," Don Pedro said to him, "if during the course of our unhappy
journey to Valdivia, I for a moment misunderstood your noble qualities,
forgive me, for today I declare to you it is a friend who sincerely
offers you his hand."
Leon pressed the general's hand warmly.
"Don Juan and I are going to inform the senate of the result of our
mission; you remain in this house till the general arrives."
The smuggler bowed, and the three men separated, respectively
enlightened as to the feelings of esteem which they professed for each
other.